Dallas' Bryant ready, Spencer skips practice again

AP , Associated Press

Sep. 20, 20134:55 PM ET

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant says he will play against St. Louis after battling back spasms, and defensive end Anthony Spencer was questionable Friday because of his troublesome left knee.

LM Otero

ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, SEPT. 7-8 - FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2013, file photo, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant finds running room after making a reception during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Arlington, Texas. Bryant's most spectacular catch last year didn't count because his fingers landed out of bounds on a near-miracle play that would have given the Cowboys their first win over the Giants in their $1.2 billion stadium. Now he is looking for a fast start to an even better season, beginning with a return visit by the Giants for the 2013 opener. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, SEPT. 7-8 - FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2013, file photo, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant finds running room after making a reception during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Arlington, Texas. Bryant's most spectacular catch last year didn't count because his fingers landed out of bounds on a near-miracle play that would have given the Cowboys their first win over the Giants in their $1.2 billion stadium. Now he is looking for a fast start to an even better season, beginning with a return visit by the Giants for the 2013 opener. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

FILE - In this file photo from Aug. 29, 2013, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Anthony Spencer, left, defensive end Jason Hatcher, center, and DeMarcus Ware (94) talk before a preseason NFL football game in Arlington, Texas. Spencer still hasn't returned from a left knee injury that kept him out all of training camp and is listed as doubtful for the season opener against the New York Giants. He missed the last full practice Friday, Sept. 6 before Sunday night's game. He aggravated an injury from offseason workouts in the pre-camp conditioning test and had arthroscopic surgery July 25. Spencer said he had swelling in the knee this week. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, file)

Bryant missed the first practice of the week but progressed to full participation by Friday and declared himself ready to "roll" Sunday against the Rams. He said he had spasms after getting hit in the back in the first quarter last weekend against Kansas City.

It's the second time in three games dating to last season that Bryant has battled back issues. He was in a wheelchair and spent a night in the hospital after last season's finale in Washington. He says the latest injury is "nothing that I feel like will affect me in the long run."

"No concern," said Bryant, who played the last three games last season with a broken finger. "If you take a blow to the back the way I took a blow to the back, you're probably going to feel the same way I feel."

Spencer played for the first time this season against the Chiefs but missed two of three practices during the week. He had arthroscopic knee surgery July 25 and missed all of training camp and the preseason.

Coach Jason Garrett hinted that Spencer's absence Friday had something to do with the Cowboys practicing on a wet field in the rain.

Spencer wasn't in the locker room when it was opener to reporters Friday. He said earlier in the week he was experiencing soreness.

"He feels like he's getting a little bit better but he didn't do much today," Garrett said.

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant says he will play against St. Louis after battling back spasms, and defensive end Anthony Spencer was questionable Friday because of his troublesome left knee.